economy was in a recession. we only heard it was in recession from the nber eight to nine months later. in fact in the most latest downturn from 2007 to 2009, we basically, that was called, that recession was called in 2010. so you may hear after the fact that the u.s. economy was in a recession and it's not just two consecutive quarters of negative gdp growth. the nber, the national bureau of economic research, again they are the umpires who call u.s. recessions. they look across a range of data including productivity, employment numbers and the like. so it is not just that thumbnail, you know, two quarters, two consecutive quarters of negative growth. they get to call it and we haven't heard them yet. they're staying mum on this now. back to you. jenna: that would change the die namic in the political conversations. great reminder that data is mostly backward looking. >> reporter: that's right. jenna: liz, thank you. >> reporter: sure, delighted. gregg: president obama and democrats continue to criticize gover